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Evaluation of a self‐help manual for media‐recruited problem drinkers: Six‐month follow‐up results
Author(s) -
Heather Nick,
Whitton Barbara,
Robertson Ian
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8260.1986.tb00667.x
Subject(s) - psychology , newspaper , alcohol consumption , telephone survey , telephone interview , demography , alcohol , advertising , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology , business
A total of 785 individuals responded to a newspaper advertisement offering free help to cut down drinking and were sent alternately either a self‐help manual based on behavioural principles or a general information and advice booklet. Of these, 247 (31.3 per cent) returned assessment questionnaires or agreed to be interviewed by telephone and 132 of these respondents (53.4 per cent) were successfully contacted at six‐month follow‐up. Those lost to follow‐up were more ‘ socially stable’ on initial measures than those successfully contacted. Results showed a greater reduction in previous week's consumption in the group receiving the manual than in the control group. In addition, respondents interviewed by telephone showed a greater reduction on a measure of alcohol‐related problems and a higher proportion reducing drinking than those contacted only by post. There was no evidence that reductions in consumption were confined to relatively low consumers or to those showing only early signs of dependence on alcohol, irrespective of which type of material was received.